My object of teenage lust - Pioneer SX-838 Stereo Receiver

When I was a teenager in the 70's (Class Of 1976), to have a Pioneer receiver was to have one of two things: either you had a good job or you had rich parents. My friend Joe who played in junior and high school band with me had the latter. He was the proud owner of the flagship Pioneer, the SX-1010. This was THE first "monster" receiver that started the receiver wars of the 70's (100 watts per channel minimum to qualify for the "monster receiver" designation), and he was fortunate enough to have Altec A-7's (they were a home version of Voice Of The Theater speakers, the most expensive, most beautiful-looking and -sounding speakers in the entire CMC Stereo Store's inventory) paired with his beautiful Pioneer and Dual 1229 turntable. To go to his house and listen to Electric Ladyland was to be invited into an Oriental opium den, except for the fact that he was one of the nerdiest, straightest bookworms in school. He was actually ranked fifth in his class, academically! No wonder he was smart enough to have the top of the line stereo components...but I digress once again!

From Hi-Fi Engine:
"The Pioneer SX-838 is a 5OW RMS stereo receiver featuring PLL FM MPX, precision equalizer, switched-turnover tone control and direct-coupled OCL power amp.

Depend on Pioneer to provide the latest electronic advances and the SX-838 stereo receiver is a perfect example.

Its FM tuner offers high sensitivity and excellent rejection characteristics thanks to its front end equipped with a frequency-linear 4-gang variable capacitor and two MOS FETs.

The FM IF section has a 6-stage limiter and phase-linear ceramic filters.

For the FM MPX demodulator, Pioneer uses a new PLL (Phase Lock Loop) circuit with an IC.

The results of these state-of-the-art touches are immediately apparent: FM sensitivity of 1.8uV, better than 80dB FM selectivity, capture ratio of 1.0dB (all IHF) and better than 30dB stereo separation (50 to 10,000Hz).

The Phono equalizer in the SX-838 provides accurate reproduction of all the sounds in any record groove by assuring no more than ± 0.3dB deviation from the RIAA curve.

In terms of power, the unit produces 50W + 50W of continuous RMS power (both channels driven at 8 ohms) with total harmonic distortion of less than 0.3% - remember that this figure is measured and guaranteed over the entire spectrum from 20 to 20,000Hz.

The SX-838 is distinguished from all other receivers in its price range by offering switched-turnover flexibility in its tone control operation, permitting the creation of a variety of tonal characteristics to match your room's acoustics or your mood.

And when it comes to versatility, it reproduces no less than six program sources (AM, FM, Phono 1, Phono 2, Mic and Aux).

It also has two stereo sets of tape deck connections with monitor switching (and deck-to-deck duplication).

If you wish, use the noise-reduction adaptor terminals to connect a third tape deck.

This unit is provided with a special Recording Selector, enabling you to record FM broadcasts while listening to the disc reproduction and vice versa - a unique time-saving device for your listening pleasure.

A total of three pairs of stereo speaker systems can be connected to the SX-838 (with a front-panel switch to use any one or any two of them at once).

Speaker selection and source indicators are provided on the attractive dial panel.

It's a Pioneer value from top to bottom, and your best buy for stereo receiver economy."

Yes! The object of my lust! Just as if it appeared in a Playboy centerful, naked as a fucking jaybird, for all the world to admire and ogle! It totally lives up to the hyperbole provided so techically, colorfully, audioally here! I give it a total of five out of five stars, just as you would your first girlfriend, one to keep and to love and repair as needed! Mine is stone mint and sounds like pure sex!

Tomorrow we get back up to no good as always, till then, keep your tubes hot and your antenna up! See you then!